Congratulations! If you have discovered this page, it is most likely because you are planning a wedding, or hoping to do so soon. This is a very exciting time in life. Maybe the date is set, the dress has been bought, the responses received, and someone has cold feet. Alternatively, perhaps you and your partner are looking to explore whether this relationship should be headed for marriage. In premarital counseling, we can help both partners in the relationship decide if marriage is best.

Before agreeing to perform a marriage ceremony, some pastors or priests requires that the couple conduct premarital counseling. This is very common and is done to ensure that both partners are giving this decision the sincerity and contemplation that it deserves. In some states, those wishing to get married under the age of 18 must conduct premarital counseling by law. Whatever the reason you are pursuing premarital counseling, Thriveworks Coumbia SC has premarital counselors ready to help you and your partner explore your feelings and goals for the relationship.

Many couples are unprepared for the number of compromises and decisions that will have to be made in a marriage. There are many issues to discuss, whether a couple is in their 1st or 30th year of marriage. A Thriveworks Columbia SC premarital counselor will help you and your partner discuss many of these in advance, such as:

Common interests and leisure activities

Role expectations

Communication styles

Religion and worship attendance

Household duties and expectations

Budget and finance

Children and parenting styles

Public or private Education

Sexuality and Intimacy

Needs for space and privacy

Where the family unit will reside

Finances and debt

Occupations and careers

Holiday expectations and travel

Relationships with extended family and in-laws

There is no need to worry that entering premarital counseling requires you to get married. In fact, sometimes couples undergo premarital therapy, and then find it best that they do not pursue marriage, or that a marital relationship might be a fit for them in the future, but not at the moment. The choice will be up to you and your partner, after you have explored your relationship in a deep and meaningful way with the help of a Thriveworks Columbia SC premarital counselor.

Through premarital counseling, couples will discover how to create vital skills to help their relationship survive the inevitable challenges it will face. Making an informed decision about the therapist or counselor that will help you on this journey of preparation is very important and should not be taken lightly. Thriveworks Columbia SC is a wise choice. Our premarital counselors are educated and experienced experts in their field. Unlike many offices, we do not operate with a waiting list. We want to be available when you and your partner decide you are in need. For that reason, we have appointments available with 24 hours for most new clients. When you are planning a wedding, you have a lot of decisions to make. Choosing Thriveworks Columbia SC for your premarital counseling is an easy decision. Call us today to start creating the marriage you want for a lifetime.

People Love Our Providers!

Patrick is a STAR

★★★★★

I was ready to give up hope of ever healing from PTSD when I found Thriveworks. Patrick’s approach using CPT...Read more

worked when traditional counseling by several other therapists had failed. I really was beginning to believe PTSD was just something I’d have to learn to live with, but Patrick taught me how to work through my issues using the worksheets on my own. As a military spouse, my time with Patrick had a deadline as my husband’s service time at Fort Jackson came to a close. Patrick ensured that I took with me the tools to continue working through my issues long after leaving his office. I can’t thank him enough for changing my inner voice, and giving me the power to stop negative thoughts and process them in a healthy way. Patrick changed my life and after struggling for all of my adult life, I finally have the confidence to live without shame and understand my value. He has a deep understanding of the unique struggles military couples face, and worked tirelessly with my husband and me. Thank you, and Patrick, for teaching me how to save myself and my marriage.

Be your on critic

★★★★★

I've been in and out of therapy and hospitals over the past couple of years. I have had bouts of depression a...Read more

nd a lot of trauma that I have had to work through. I also have a pattern of running away and getting mad when I'm challenged or things don't go my way, but this time I didn't run and haven't ran.
Dr. Pena was very encouraging, down to earth, caring, and helpful which was a blessing.
But warning to all, she is a busy lady and sometimes getting an apt can be tricky. But she will make time and do what she can to see you. My advice is get in and keep your apps, because there is a reason she is busy, but never too busy to return a text or come in when she didn't have to. Thank you because that little bit of care and time actually meant more to me than anyone can imagine.

Highly Recommend

Patrick is great! He challenges you, but in a constructive manner. Scheduling with Thriveworks is amazing!

- T.M

Thriveworks Counseling Columbia

Patrick is a STAR

★★★★★

I was ready to give up hope of ever healing from PTSD when I found Thriveworks. Patrick’s approach using CPT...Read more

worked when traditional counseling by several other therapists had failed. I really was beginning to believe PTSD was just something I’d have to learn to live with, but Patrick taught me how to work through my issues using the worksheets on my own. As a military spouse, my time with Patrick had a deadline as my husband’s service time at Fort Jackson came to a close. Patrick ensured that I took with me the tools to continue working through my issues long after leaving his office. I can’t thank him enough for changing my inner voice, and giving me the power to stop negative thoughts and process them in a healthy way. Patrick changed my life and after struggling for all of my adult life, I finally have the confidence to live without shame and understand my value. He has a deep understanding of the unique struggles military couples face, and worked tirelessly with my husband and me. Thank you, and Patrick, for teaching me how to save myself and my marriage.

Be your on critic

★★★★★

I've been in and out of therapy and hospitals over the past couple of years. I have had bouts of depression a...Read more

nd a lot of trauma that I have had to work through. I also have a pattern of running away and getting mad when I'm challenged or things don't go my way, but this time I didn't run and haven't ran.
Dr. Pena was very encouraging, down to earth, caring, and helpful which was a blessing.
But warning to all, she is a busy lady and sometimes getting an apt can be tricky. But she will make time and do what she can to see you. My advice is get in and keep your apps, because there is a reason she is busy, but never too busy to return a text or come in when she didn't have to. Thank you because that little bit of care and time actually meant more to me than anyone can imagine.

Highly Recommend

Patrick is great! He challenges you, but in a constructive manner. Scheduling with Thriveworks is amazing!

- T.M

Thriveworks Counseling Columbia

Best money ever spent

★★★★★

This place is amazing and what therapy is about. Dr. Pena, Patrick, James, Rachell, it really doesn't matter w...Read more

ho you are going to see you will be cared for. Accountability and commitment to helping you move forward with whatever issues you face is where they shine. They listen, they care, they help you set small goals and they help give you the tools you need succeed with your goal. Couldn't ask for a better set up and a great location!

the Oasis amongst my chaos

★★★★★

Deceived into moving to this city, I sought marriage counseling and tried three separate counselors and an add...Read more

itional counselor after I was abandoned. Not only did those other counselors not listen properly to be able to understand the dynamics of my situation, they didn't have the proper experience to recognize the complexity of the symptoms I was displaying, nor could they fully understand what I was going through. How can someone help us if they don't understand? They can't. Nor can we teach our children to tie their shoes if we don't know how to tie shoes ourselves. Even though I knew the name of the abuse I was subjected to, I was emotionally dismissed by other counselors throughout the city. Once I found Dr. Pena and read through all her credentials, her experience, her specialties, her background and experience with the Military, I thought she sounded too good to be true. With the complexities of what my family has been through, I finally found some hope again. Dr. Pena is highly intelligent, compassionate, patient, quick witted and humorous. She also pulls no punches, which is what we need sometimes. I only wish I would have found her sooner so I didn't have to go through the hell I've been through alone, without her proper guidance. I am eager to continue learning the coping strategies she's teaching me and to continue to heal and grow as an individual and as a parent. Until my journey is complete and my heart and soul are healed, Dr. Pena shall remain the Oasis amongst my chaos.

will never leave thriveworks!!

★★★★★

Absolutely love and the staff! They genuinely care about me and my family! We are not an instance claim.or a c...Read more

ase number, we are individuals and treated as such! I would never recommend another theraputical office to anyone else.! I wish I could give 10 stars because they deserve it!!!! HIGHLY recommend to anyone seeking services!